The Loudoun County SEARCH program focuses on thinking skills and is designed to foster a classroom environment that encourages students to develop an excitement for learning and discovery. SEARCH teachers work within the classroom to stimulate curiosity, practice problem solving strategies, incorporate cooperative learning activities, provide opportunities for students to use higher level thinking skills, and to identify students with exceptional ability. During the lessons the primary classroom teacher makes observations to gain insight into the students’ various skills, strengths, and learning styles. Both teachers work cooperatively to recognize and develop the potential for excellence in each student. The Loudoun County SEARCH lessons are organized under the learning keys listed below and are aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning.

The Gifted Education Program goals are:

To become divergent creative thinkers who recognize problems and solve them.

To construct personal meaning and understanding of others and of the world around them.

To develop the capacity for self assessment (ownership of the learning).

MAIN TOPICS:

Perceiving- understanding and learning with your senses

Reasoning- using information to find answers that can be proven, are logical, and make sense

Connecting- linking information and ideas to see how the fit together

Creating- putting ideas, information, or objects together in a new or different way